Gold Mining

If you've been following my blog and /or tumblr for a while, you'll know how much I love Russian/Soviet and Eastern European art. I'm always drawn to it and try to feature as many past and present artists, illustrators, designers, crafters, makers and shops as I can. I really try to be different. I like finding unusual, special things to write about and that often means hours of trawling the web with my trusty online translator at hand. However, sometimes I don't have to look too far to strike gold.
Some of you may remember my post on Redstone Press' diary, which I bought and use every day. I've had my eye on this excellent London-based publishing house ever since Christmas and have added their PlayBox, Psychogames and ABZ- Alphabets and Other Signs to our family collection of games and inspirational art books.
If you share my passion for great design, you may be interested in Redstone's new large-format postcard sets featuring work by and inspired by Mayakovsky and Karel Teige's brilliant photo-ballet. Both sets would make very affordable gifts and can be purchased from Redstone's online shop as from today.
Enjoy!

Irina Troitskaya

My three children went back to school today, fitting then that I should begin by showing you some of Irina Troitskaya's wonderful illustrations from a school-themed Russian comic strip. You may already be familiar with Irina's work, especially if you read Uppercase magazine. I came across her portfolio quite by chance and instantly fell in love with her world of illustration, so different from anything I've ever seen before.

"Life's too short to be someone you don't want to".

Irina was born and raised in Izhevsk, a place she describes as "a city of dead ends, sad electronic music and Finno-Ugric cultural roots". Her love of drawing led her to study art at Udmurt State University for five years, but left her weary, feeling nothing but abhorrence for the way painting and drawing were regarded. After graduating she worked as a TV journalist, then in summer 2003 decided to try her chances in Moscow. She has established herself as a successful freelance illustrator working for press, advertising and book publishing, as well as being a tutor of a visual communications course. Irina is studying for a Master's degree in illustration at the University of Hertfordshire, England.

I've really enjoyed reading Irina's blog and seeing some of the things that inspire her, the environment she lives in and grew up in, all the things that she sees, lives, breathes and absorbs. The world that will influence her future creation.

I've loved seeing how dolls she played with as a child


have, over time, been transformed into these beautiful and strange Matreshkas.






How her fabulous sketchbooks






have developed into these patterns and illustrations,




and, how birds and animals from Russian litterature have been shaped into mysterious masks and striking Easter eggs.




Pictures speak louder than words.

Take the time to explore Irina's blog and portfolio, a whole new world awaits you.